25 days in Vietnam: What would you skip, and where would you go for paradise beaches?
Hey everyone!
I've been reading a Guide du Routard guide to Vietnam and am starting to put together my itinerary. I'll arrive in Hanoi on 11 November and have around 25 days, potentially 28 if I extend my trip.
I'm travelling solo and would love some advice on my route, especially regarding the weather and how to finish the trip.
My current plan:
Hanoi — 3 days: Explore the city, food, culture, etc.
Ha Giang Loop — 3–4 days: I'd like to do this relatively early in the trip, hopefully with good weather.
Lan Ha Bay / Ha Long Bay — 2 days, 1 night: I'd prefer a quieter alternative to the busiest cruise routes.
Ninh Binh — 2 days: For the limestone landscapes, boat trips and countryside.
Sapa — possibly skip it: I've read that November is past the rice harvest season, and since I'll already be doing Ha Giang, I'm wondering whether it's worth the detour.
Hue and Hoi An — undecided: I'd love to visit both, but I'm concerned about November's rainy season and the risk of flooding.
My biggest question is how to finish the trip.
I'd love to spend 5–6 days on a beautiful beach, ideally somewhere with turquoise water, opportunities to swim and relax, and a good backpacker/social atmosphere as a solo traveller.
I'm considering two options:
Stay in Vietnam: Visit Ho Chi Minh City for a couple of days, then fly to Phu Quoc for the beach before flying back to Paris.
Fly to southern Thailand: I've read that the Thai islands have a better backpacker scene for solo travellers. Would it be worth flying to Thailand for the last 5–6 days, or would that be too much travelling for this trip?
My main questions:
Would you skip Sapa in November, especially if you're already visiting Ha Giang?
Are Hue and Hoi An worth visiting in November despite the rain and potential flooding? Would you decide based on the forecast?
For a 5–6-day beach finale, would you choose Phu Quoc or the Thai islands? If Thailand, which islands would be best in late November for weather, beautiful beaches and meeting other solo travellers?
Does my overall itinerary make sense geographically and time-wise? Would you change the order or cut anything?
What should I book in advance, particularly for the Ha Giang Loop, Lan Ha Bay cruise and accommodation? Is it better to leave some parts flexible because of the weather?
I'd really appreciate any advice, especially from people who travelled in Vietnam or southern Thailand in November. Thanks! :)